Slough MP defends Gaza ceasefire vote amid criticism

Slough’s MP has explained his decision to abstain from a House of Commons vote calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war amid criticism from some of his constituents.

Labour’s Tan Dhesi has acknowledged he has ‘openly called for a ceasefire’, but abstained along party lines when an SNP amendment calling for an immediate stop to the fighting was discussed on Wednesday.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has argued a ceasefire would not be appropriate and is instead in favour of humanitarian pauses to allow aid to reach Gaza.

A total of 56 Labour MPs rebelled against the leader’s position on the conflict, with some resigning from their frontbench roles.

The issue has been a subject of strong debate in Slough, with councillors from Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems all releasing statements in recent weeks calling for a ceasefire.

A vigil with a message of solidarity for those suffering in the conflict was held in the town centre on Sunday, attended by councillors, religious leaders, and Mr Dhesi.

Labour councillor Sabia Akram (Farnham), who organised the vigil, told the Express she was disappointed by the Slough MP’s decision.

She said: “My immediate thought was disappointment. I have openly signed open letters to the Labour Party leadership to call for a ceasefire.

“The Slough Labour Group came out and had a similar message so as far as locally is concerned, I think we’ve made it very clear as politicians what we want.”

The former deputy leader of Slough Borough Council warned that voters could become disenfranchised with the Labour Party over its position on the Israel-Gaza war.

She added: “I think with a General Election, if a political party doesn’t represent people’s views, ethics and values then there is a huge danger in people not participating and not feeling like they can align themselves with a party.”

Mr Dhesi currently holds the position of shadow exchequer secretary to the Treasury.

Cllr Akram added: “I’m not going to beat him over whether he chose his role over voting, I can’t comment on that.

“But I think on this, he could have voted with his conscience and vote with his constituency. We had six or seven coaches go from Slough to London for Saturday’s march.

“I think the Slough’s consensus is pretty clear about what the position is.”

Mr Dhesi spoke in Parliament ahead of the vote, and said ’neither the Israeli Government nor Hamas have agreed to an immediate ceasefire’, but added ‘whether or not the Israeli Government and Hamas listen to our pleas, I believe we must call for an end to the violence to save lives’.

When asked if the SNP amendment was a ‘political ploy’, Mr Dhesi acknowledged this and said Labour had tabled an amendment ‘addressing our concerns’.

After the vote, a statement on behalf of Mr Dhesi said: “Like many voices across the globe, I have openly called in Parliament for a ceasefire, but both Hamas and Israel have rejected it.

“I voted for a roadmap to peace that wants end to violence, release hostages, jurisdiction of ICC (for war crimes), Gaza siege lifted, stop settler violence, enduring cessation of fighting and a two state solution.”

Conservative MPs voted against both amendments, meaning they were rejected.

On Friday (November 17), Mr Dhesi announced that he had recieved death threats and said it will not 'deter' him from his course.

On social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Mr Dhesi tweeted:

"Facing death threats and abuse won’t deter me from saying road to #Gaza peace is complex, as Israel and Hamas don’t agree to #CeasefireNow. To those spreading lies I voted against #ceasefire: I abstained on others’ amendments but voted for Labour plan for “end to the violence”."